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Included in the House of Death Readers’ Theatre Unit:
9 page script
2 Major Characters + the narrator
2 Supporting Characters
25 Book Report questions with Rubric
Student Success Criteria
Student Friendly Goals
Teacher’s Reader’s Theatre Checklist
Drawing Conclusions Activity

The House of Death synopsis:
Mrs. Prentis and Mrs. Collins are friends of Judy, a woman who has been convicted of being negligent with her new-born child. The neighbors found her outside while her baby remained in the house. Mrs. Prentis and Mrs. Collins are cleaning it up for her. As they tidy up, they look around and wonder why Judy would do such a thing. Why would she just leave her baby lying on a pillow and then wander away? Is it because she lives by the cemetery? Or could it be that a mysterious note in a dresser drawer has the answer? Find out in The Death House reader’s theatre unit!

Mr. Marvel’s Musings:
The subject matter is sensitive. Viewer discretion is advised. In the story, it sounds like Judy left her baby unattended in a crib while she went outside. Collins and Prentis try to put the pieces together and find out near the end of the story. SPOILER: they find a note that seems to be from a concerned family member saying that insanity runs in the family. The students and I discuss a few questions:
1-Who wrote the note and why was it hidden?
2-Should the note be presented as evidence in Judy’s case?

I hope you, and your students enjoy discussing The House of Death and continue to do so for many years.
Excelsior!
Mr. Marvel: The King of Reader’s Theatre